Summer program encourages girls to choose careers in math and science

 

Twenty seventh and eighth grade girls enjoyed a week of test tubes, microscopes and experiments in Emporia State University 's "MASTER IT!" program.

"This is ESU's sixth year of hosting MASTER IT!, a camp for young women in grades seven and eight which encourages them in mathematics and science," said co-director and ESU math and computer science faculty Elizabeth Yanik. "This wonderful program allows these girls to have fun with math and science doing hands-on workshops with women professionals and university math and science faculty.
The program is also coordinated by ESU math and computer science faculty Marvin Harrell.

"MASTER IT!" is an acronym for "Mathematics and Science to Explore caReers: Investigating Together." Students make cast, work with geometry, and go on field trips. They also hear from area female professionals in fields such as engineering, pharmacy, veterinary science and several health-related occupations.

Throughout the week, the students lived in residence halls with college women chaperones and got an early taste of university living.

"We had wonderful field trips to Wolf Creek Nuclear Corporation and the Cosmosphere. The purpose is to demonstrate the importance of mathematics and science in our lives, to showcase many interesting careers, to inspire them to continue enjoying math and science, and as a extra bonus to have a group of MASTER IT! friends from all over the state to stay in touch with and support each other in the years to come," Yanik said.

This group will have another chance to come together with a follow-up session at ESU's "Expanding Your Horizons in Science and Math" conference in March.

MASTER IT! participants were:

Wichita : Rachel Battershaw

Goodland : Julica Bonsall, Lexi David, Michelle Smith

Andover : Emily Callen
Burdett : Sara Clapham

Iola : Savannah Haner

Emporia : Samantha Hernandez, Ashley Jones, Sierra Robinson

Americus : Elizabeth Hudlin, Cheyenne Shirley

Tecumseh : Jessica Keegan
Kansas City : Jazmin Morales, Michelle Reyes, Dalia Sandoval, Cinthya Zuniga

Topeka : Brittany Potter

Overland Park : Nury Salas
Marysville : Karla Stultz

 

Last Updated July 2, 2007>